Badstuber downbeat on World Cup hopes

By Myfanwy Garman

After undergoing four successive operations, the German international is pessimistic about his chances of recovering in time for next summer’s tournament.

Holger Badstuber has admitted that he faces an uphill battle in terms of reclaiming his place in the Germany squad for next summer's World Cup - despite undergoing a successful knee operation on Monday.

The Bayern Munich defender, who has gone under the knife four times since tearing his cruciate ligament against Borussia Dortmund in December last year, has yet to appear for the Bundesliga champion this season.

Consequently, while he is in no doubt that he will make a full recovery from his latest surgery, he is aware that the World Cup could come too early for him.

"Brazil is a long way off for me," the 24-year-old told German magazine Focus.

However, Badstuber, who has been capped 30 times by his country, dismissed reports that he might never play competitive football again.

"The crutches are gone. With the therapy and exercises from nine until five everyday things are getting better," he enthused.

"The doctors have reassured me over and over again that the knee will be back in great shape and leave no lasting damage."